Regulator for gas-burners.



No. 746,546. PATENT-ED DEC. 8, 1903:.

' W. G. MIDGLBY.

REGULATOR FOR GAS BURNBRS.

APPLICATION nun mm. 20, 1903. ,no menu. a snnETs-simn'r 1 PATENTED DEC.8, 1903.

" t w. G. MIDGLEY.

REGULATOR FOR GAS BURNBRS.

APPLICATION FILED PER. 20, 1903- v 2 sums-sum 2;

H l W lvzveni or J i A 0 J A 77zizz ess'sr $43M M11113 UNITED STATESPatented December 8, 1903.

WILLIAM G. MIDGLEY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

REGULATOR FOR GAS-BURNERS.

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 746,546, dated December8, 1903.

Application filed February 20. 1903. Serial No. 144.215. (No model.)

To all whom, it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. MIDGLEY, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Bulfalo, in the county of Erie and State tion of agas-burner, showing a modification of New York, have invented new anduseful Improvements i n Regulators for Gas-Burners, of which thefollowingis a specification.

This invention relates to that class of gasburners in which aneedle-valve is employed for regulating the supply of gas. While aneedle-valve permits of producing a fine regulation of the gas, its usein burners as heretofore constructed is undesirable on account of theliability of increasing the size of the gas-passage to an objectionableextent by forcing the conical end of the needle into the gas-outletopening. It is well known that the gas-outlet openingshould be as smallas possible consistent with the amount of gas required in order toobtain the highest efficiency of the gas as it mixes with the air. Byincreasing the size of the gas-outlet to an objectionable extent the gasspreads a greater extent and its efficiency is correspondingly reduced.

The object of this invention is to provide means for adjusting theneedle-valve of gasburners which renders it impossible to force theneedle into thegas-outlet opening and produce anabnormal enlargement ofthe same.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure -1 isavertical section of a gas-burner containing my improvements. Fig. 2 is avertical section in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view ofthe needlevalve and its carrier. Figs. land 5 are horizontal sections inthe correspondingly-numbered lines in Fig. 1. Fig. 6isa vertical secofmy improvements. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section in line 7 7, Fig. 6. rFig. 8 is a vertical section showing another modifiedform of myimprovement. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section of the samein line9 9, Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is afurther-mod-ified construction embodying myinvention. Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the same in line 11 11,Fig. 10.

Similar lettersof reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

A represents the valve body or casing,which is preferably of cylindricalform, and B represents the mixing-tube,which is connected the tube.

at its lower end with the top of the casingby a screw-joint- This tubeis provided adja cent to the casing with an annular series of air-inletopenings b. The mixed air and gas is burned at the upper end of themixingtube, this end of the tube being furnished with a tip, mantle, orother contrivance of well-known construction. Formed lengthwise andcentrally in the casing is a cylinwardly-tapering'or conical point dmovablevertically and axially in the gas-outlet opening, so as to leavean annular passage between the point of the needle and the edge of theoutlet-opening, through which the gas passes from the valve-chamber intothe mix- .ing-tube,where the same commiugles with the air enteringthrough the openings 1') preparatory to being consumed at the upper endof By moving the needle-valve up or down the area'of the gas-exit may bede creased or increased for varying the supply of gas to themixing-chamber as may be necessary to produce the desired gaseous mix-'ture. The angle of the tapering needle is greater than the taperingunder side of the top of the valve-chamber, whereby the two sides of theannular passage between the needle-valve and thevalve-chamber convergeupwardly to the "gas-outlet opening, as shown in Fig. 1. This relativeformation of the opposing sides of the valve and valve-chamber providesa passage for the gas of maximum area up to the extreme outlet-point,where the regulation takes place, thereby permitting the gas to flowwith the greatest-possible freedom and with the least amount of fric'tional resistance. When the gas before issuing from the outlet-openingis obliged to pass to some extent through a passage which is of nolarger area than the outlet-opening,

the friction of the gas against the walls of the passage is excessive,thereby retarding the flow of gas and interfering with the properregulation and combustion of the same. The needle-valve is mounted onthe upper end of a vertically-movable carrier or slide E, which isarranged in the valve-chamber. This carrier is guided on the wall of thevalve-chamber and provided on opposite sides with longitudinal groovese, which form conduits or passages through which the gas passes from thelowerto the upper part of the valvechamber.

In order to prevent the needle-valve from being raised so high that itis forced into the gas-outletopening and enlarges the same, the verticaladjustment of the valve is effected by a shifting device which iscapable of moving the needle-valve up or down only a limited extent, therange of the adjustment being so determined that when the needle is inits highest position the same just engages or nearly engages the edge ofthe gas-outlet opening. The preferred means for effecting thisadjustment of the needle-valve consists of an adjusting spindle or shaftF, extending transversely through the wall of the valve chamber orcasing and provided at its inner end with a crank or eccentric pin f,which engages with a horizontal or transverse groove g in the adjacentside of the valve-carrier. The throw of the crank is such that when thesame is in its highest position it raises the carrier and theneedle-valve thereon, so that the latter just closes or nearly closesthe gas-outlet opening, but does not forcibly engage the same. Uponturning the spindle so that the crank is lowered more or less theneedle-valve is moved downwardly, so that a narrow part of theneedle-valve is arranged insaid opening, thereby increasing the area ofthis opening and the supply of gas proportionately. When the crank is inits lowest position, the needle-valve opens the gas-outlet opening itsfullest extent and admits the maximum supply of gas. For ret aining thevalve-carrier in proper engagement with the crank-pin the carrier isprevented from turning and held in its proper position relatively to thecrank by means of a fiat vertical face h, formed on the carrier adjacentto its groove and engaging with the flat inner end of the crank-spindle,as shown in Figs. 1 and 4:, thereby dispensing with separate devices forthis purpose. The crankspindle is journaled in a bushing or hearing I,which engages with an openingin the wall of the casing. The outersurface of the bushing is preferably conical or tapering inwardly andsecured in the correspondingly-shaped opening of the casing with adriving fit, there by securing these parts in place in a simpleshoulderj on the bushing. These shoulders are preferably cone-shaped ortapered outwardly, so that a tight joint is produced between these partsat this point, which prevents the escape of gas. Upon the outer end ofthe crank-spindle is mounted an adjusting disk or finger-piece K, whichis preferably secured in place by riveting or upsetting the outer end ofthe spindle against the outer side of the disk, so as to draw the latterand the spindle-shoulder against opposite ends of the bushing withsufficient firmness to prevent leakage between these parts, but permitthe crank-spindle to be turned by the disk.

In order to arrest the rotary movement of the spindle when its crank hasmoved the needle into its highest or lowest position, means are providedwhich limit the rotary movement of the spindle at either extremity ofthe throw of its crank. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this is preferablyaccomplished by means of a segmental or semicircular slot Z, formedconcentrically in the adjusting-disk, and a stop pin or projection Z,mounted on the valve-casing and extending into the slot. Upon turningthe adjusting-disk half-way around in either direction it is arrested bythe adjacent end of the slot striking the stoppin. For the purpose ofenabling the valve to be quickly and definitely shifted into a positionin which it stops short of its complete closing movement and leaves asmall passage in the gas-outlet opening for maintaining a small flame orpilot-light an adjusting device is provided, consisting, preferably, ofa screw m. The latter Works in the adjusting-disk and is adjustablelengthwise of that end of the slot 6 which moves toward the stop-pinduring the closing movement of the valve. Upon adjusting this screwbackward or forward in the disk the area of the gas-outlet opening whichis unobstructed when the closing movement of the disk is arrested may bevaried for varying the size of the pilot-light,

as maybe desired.

While the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 represents the bestembodiment of my improved gas-burner, the same can obviously be variedin many respects and still retain the essence of my invention. Forinstance, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the spindle F screws into athreaded opening in a boss at on the side of the valve-casing, and theadjusting-disk K is made integrally with the spindle. Although fewerparts are required by making the spindle and disk in one piece andjournaling the spindle directly in the valve-casing, as shown in Figs. 6and 7, it is more practical to employ the construction shown in Figs. 1to 5, because the latter construction can be manufactured cheaper, isassembled easier, and is not liable to leak. Furthermore, theconstruction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 permits of making the valve-body outof bar-brass, which is kept in stock and can be obtainedv at a lowprice, while the valvecasing shown in Figs. 6 and 7 having the boss If,however, it is desired to make the needlevalve and crank of materialdifferent from:

that of the carrier and spindle, the valve D and the crank f may beconnected with the carrier E and spindle F by screw-joints, as

shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Although the screw connection between theneedle-valve and the carrier has the additional advantage of permittingthese parts to be adjusted relatively to eachother, the cost of the sameis greater than when these parts are made out of a single piece.

Instead of arrangingacrank at one end of the adjusting-spindle forraising the needlevalve the same effect. may be produced by arranging acam or crank f between the ends thereof, such a construction being shownin Figs. Sand 9. In this construction the spindle F is journaled at itsends by screw-joints in opposite sides of the valve-casing, and thecrank or cam f arranged on the spindle between the ends thereof,engageswith the lower end of the slide E which carries the needlevalve.Upon turning this spindle so as to move the cam upwardly the valve isclosed more or less, while upon moving the cam downwardly thevalve-carrier is permitted to descend. This descent may be effected bygravity alone, but is preferably rendered more certain by the aid of aspring 0, interposed between the upper end of the valvecarrier and thetop of thevalve-chamber. When the cam f is turned into its highestposition, the valve can be closed no farther, the parts being soconstructed that the valve is not forced against the edge of theoutletopening when it reaches the end of its closing movement.

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown a construction embodying'my invention inwhich the limited closing movement of the valve-carrier E is effected bya wedge or incline 10 engaging with the beveled lower end q of thecarrier. This wedge is preferably conical and formed on the inner end ofa rotary spindle F which is screwed into the valve-casing. When the topof the incline or wedge engages the straight under side of thevalve-carrier, the

continued inward movement of the wedge does not raise the valve anyfarther, as the valve at this time has reached the end of its closingmovement and is not forced against the edge of the outlet-opening.

It will be observed that in all of the constructions shown and describedthe valve-adjusting devices are incapable of moving the needle-valvetoward the gas-outlet opening more than the predetermineddistance, andit is therefore impossible to enlarge the outletopening and destroy thehighest efliciency of the burner.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a gas-burner, the combination of acylindrical valve-chamber provided in its upper end with anoutlet-opening, a needle-valve cooperating with said opening, and acarrier for said valve having segmental faces which slide lengthwise inthe bore of the cylinder and provided in its side with longitudinalgrooves which form gas-passages, substantially as set forth.

2. In a gas-burner, the combination of a cylindrical valve chamberhaving an outletopening in its top, a valve cooperating with saidopening, a carrier for said valve having segmental faces sliding in saidchamber and having a transverse groove and a flat face ad jacent to saidgroove, and a rotary spindle extending through the wall of the chamberand provided at its inner end with a crank engaging said groove and witha fiat face engaging the fiat face of the carrier, substantially as setforth.

3. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing provided with avalve-chamber and an outlet-opening, a valve arranged in said chamberand cooperating with said opening, a carrier for .said valve, a bushingarranged in an opening in the casing, and a spindlejournaled in saidbushing and provided at its inner end with a crank for shifting saidvalve and a shoulder which engages with the inner end of the bushing,substantially as set forth.

4. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing provided with avalve-chamber and an outlet-opening, a valve arranged in said chamberand cooperating with said opening, a carrier for said valve, a bushingarranged in an opening in the'casing and provided at its inner end witha conical shoulder, and a spindle journaled in the bushing and providedat.

its inner end with a crank for shifting said valve and a conicalshoulder which engages with said conical shoulder of the bushing,substantially as set forth.

5. 'In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing provided with avalve-chamber and an outletopening, a valve arranged in said chamber andcooperating with said opening, a carrier for said valve, a bushinghaving a tapering outer side which fits into a correspondingly-shapedopening in the casing,and a spindle journaled in said bushing andprovided at its inner end with a crank for shifting said valve and witha shoulder engaging the inner end of the bushing, substantially as setforth.

6. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing provided with avalve-chamber and with an outlet-opening, a needle-valve cooperatingwith said opening, a carrier for said valve guided in said chamber andprovided with a transverse groove, a conical bushing seated in acorrespondingly-shaped opening in the casing, a spindle journaled in thebushing and provided at its inner end with a crank engaging said grooveand with a shoulder engaging the inner end of the'bushing, and a fingerpiece or disk secured to the outer end of the spindle and engaging withthe outer end of the bushing, substantially as set forth. I

7. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing having a valve-chamberand an outletopening, a valve cooperating with said opening, a carrierfor said valve, a spindle extending through the casing and provided atits inner end with a crank for shifting said valve, a disk arranged onthe outer end of the spindle and provided with a segmental slot, and astop arranged on the casing and extending into said slot, substantiallyas set forth.

' 8. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing having a valve-chamberand an outletopening, a valve cooperating with said opening, a carrierfor said valve, a spindle extending through the casing and provided atits inner end with a crank for shifting said Valve, a disk arranged onthe outer end of the spindle and provided with a segmental slot,

a fixed stop arranged on the casing and extending into said slot, and anadjustable stop device arranged on the disk and projecting into one endof said slot, substantially as set forth.

9. In a gas-burner, the combination of a casing having a valve-chamberand an outletopening, a valve cooperating with said opening, a carrierfor said valve, a spindle extending through the casing and provided atits inner end with a crank for shifting said valve, a disk arranged onthe outer end of the spindle and provided with a segmental slot, a fixedstop arranged on the casing and extending into said slot, and anadjustable stop consisting of a screw working in said disk andprojecting into one end of said slot, substantially as set forth.

. Witness my hand this 17th day of February, 1903.

WILLIAM G. MIDGLEY.

Witnesses: I

THEO. L. POPP, EMMA M. GRAHAM.

